259. How to Reset When You Return From a Long-Term Leave

Everyone’s first year teaching is hard, but Grace Ratliff’s first year may take the cake. She started her teaching career the same day her daughter was born, missed all of pre-planning, and returned from maternity leave to a brand-new school where she didn’t even know where to park or find her classroom. I’m talking with Grace about navigating that steep learning curve, building relationships, and celebrating small student successes (spoiler alert: high schoolers still love stickers!). Grace’s practical strategies prove that you can set boundaries, keep things simple, and still build a classroom where students feel seen, celebrated, and motivated to try, even in the middle of chaos.➡️ Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode260Resources Mentioned:It’s Not Rocket Science PRIME TIMES®Download your FREE Classroom Reset ChallengeTake the Free Labs When Limited virtual PD courseSend me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.scienceSend me an email: [email protected]  Follow, rate, and review on Apple PodcastsFollow, rate, and comment on SpotifyRelated Episodes:Episode 143. My Top 5 Favorite Teacher Hacks for the New School YearEpisode 206. PRIME TIMES® – Everything You Need to Know

Returning to your classroom after a long-term leave can feel like walking into a completely different classroom. You’re trying to figure out what happened while you were gone, what students actually learned, and where to begin. In this episode, I’m sharing five tips from teachers who have experienced this exact situation, including how to approach your first days back, make decisions about your curriculum, and get your classroom running smoothly again. Most importantly, give yourself and your students grace as you adjust to a new normal. Remember, teaching is your job, not your life!➡️ Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode259Resources Mentioned:Download your FREE Classroom Reset ChallengeTake the Free Labs When Limited virtual PD courseSend me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.scienceSend me an email: [email protected]  Follow, rate, and review on Apple PodcastsFollow, rate, and comment on SpotifyRelated Episodes:Episode 49: Visuals, Middle School, Maternity Leave, and MORE with Guest Rachael LaskyEpisode 117: How to Prep for a Long-Term Substitute Who Doesn’t Teach ScienceEpisode 217: How to Regain Control Mid-Year: Resetting Your Classroom ManagementEpisode 244: Sanity-Saving Systems, Self Checks, and Starting a TA Program With Katie DupuieEpisode 260: Celebrating Small Success and Building Relationships With Grace Ratliff

If you’re teaching three or more preps this school year, you may be realizing that your current systems are either keeping you organized or need a little adjusting! In this episode, I’m sharing six of my top tips for staying organized, from color coding and unit packets to implementing PrimeTimes and an end-of-day checklist. These simple systems can help you stay on top of your workload, stagger the demands of multiple preps, and make those busy days feel a whole lot more doable.➡️ Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode258Resources Mentioned:Balancing multiple preps Spotify PlaylistPlastic binsPaper desktop calendarFrixion erasable pensDownload your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge.Take the Free Labs When Limited virtual PD courseSend me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.scienceSend me an email: [email protected]  Follow, rate, and review on Apple PodcastsFollow, rate, and comment on SpotifyRelated Episodes and Blog Posts:Episode 60: Teaching with Packets – What They Are, Why I Love Them, and How to Use ThemEpisode 182: End the Year Organized: Your ResourcesEpisode 183: End the Year Organized: Your ClassroomEpisode 184: End the Year Organized: Your Methods for ManagementEpisode 206: PRIME TIMES® – Everything You Need to KnowEpisode 244: Sanity-Saving Systems, Self Checks, and Starting a TA Program With Katie DupuieBlog: EVERYTHING you need to know about having a high school T.A. program

A student in your class disrespects you in front of everyone. What are you supposed to do? As someone who runs a little hot myself, I know how tempting it can be to bite back with sarcasm or a quick retort, but keeping your cool is the real win. In this episode, I’m breaking down what to do (and what not to do) when things get heated, from resisting the power struggle and removing the audience to using calm scripts and proactive classroom routines. And if you’ve handled a tough interaction poorly before, remember that no single moment defines you as a teacher. You can apologize, reset, and model healthy conflict resolution for your students.➡️ Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode257Resources Mentioned:Download your FREE Classroom Reset ChallengeTake the Free Labs When Limited virtual PD courseSend me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.scienceSend me an email: [email protected]  Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow, rate, and comment on SpotifyRelated Episodes:Episode 249: Board Points: A Simple Whole Classroom Management StrategyEpisode 225: What to Do When Your Class Won’t Talk With YouEpisode 246: Grouping and Engaging Students With Popsicle SticksEpisode 136: Building a Team Mindset Into Your Classroom CultureEpisode 134: Prioritizing Relationships Over Being RightEpisode 92: 5 Ways to Have Precise Pacing and Tight Transitions in Your Secondary Science Classroom

At this point in the year, the “new year, new you” energy has officially worn off, and students might be drifting into class a little less prepared than before. In this episode, I’m breaking down how to handle students who show up without the supplies they need by setting simple expectations, communicating them clearly, and consistently reinforcing them. I’m also sharing how to build in a little grace while still letting natural consequences do their job, plus how to teach absent students to find what they missed and take responsibility for getting caught up.➡️ Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode256Resources Mentioned:Lil baby calculatorsGiant pencilsDownload your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge.Take the Free Labs When Limited virtual PD courseSend me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.scienceSend me an email: [email protected]  Follow, rate, and review on Apple PodcastsFollow, rate, and comment on SpotifyRelated Episodes:Episode 96: Why I Stopped Assigning Homework (And 6 Surprising Results)Episode 152: Absences – How to Deal With ThemEpisode 206: PRIME TIMES® – Everything You Need to Know

How do you stay passionate about teaching after 24 years and multiple science preps? Veteran teacher and department chair Jaime Gratton is sharing her tricks of the trade. We’re talking about engaging students in 90-minute blocks, creating hands-on science experiences, mentoring new teachers, and building a supportive department culture. We also get into AI, classroom routines, grading, and Jamie’s reminder that sometimes the best thing we can do is give ourselves a little grace and remember that it gets better!➡️ Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode255Resources Mentioned:ChemventoryINRS Chemistry curriculumAP teacher episode playlistContact Jaime: [email protected] Jaime’s Amazon Resource List Download your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge.Take the Free Labs When Limited virtual PD courseSend me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.scienceSend me an email: [email protected]  Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.Related Episodes:Episode 238: Department Chairs: How to Lead Your Team WellEpisode 212: 6 Preps, EOC Review, Biology and Work/Life Balance With Guest Macee HusemanEpisode 191: Engaging Students, Serving ELLs, and Teaching Earth Science With Becca of Science Lessons That RockEpisode 163: What I Wish I Knew in My First Year of Teaching High School Science: 5 Simple Tips

Parent boundaries can make a huge difference in your school year, especially when you set them early! In this final episode of my 3-week boundaries series, I’m breaking down three key areas: availability and access, respect and care, and knowing when to bring in support. We’ll talk about setting clear expectations, using proactive communication to build stronger parent relationships, and bringing in admin when things get tricky. When you feel confident partnering with parents while still protecting your time (and sanity!), you can focus on what matters most: your students.➡️ Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode254Resources:Download your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge.Take the Free Labs When Limited virtual PD courseSend me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.scienceSend me an email: [email protected]  Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow, rate, and comment on Spotify.Related Episodes:Episode 70: “It Isn’t an Attack on You”: Dealing with Difficult Parents with Guest Zach MatsonEpisode 195: A Simple and Effective Process for Parent Communication With Guest Mandy FarrarEpisode 207: Dealing With Combative Parents – 6 Tips and 2 Warnings

Teaching is your job, NOT your whole life, and that means setting healthy boundaries with your students, too! In week two of my New Year, New Boundaries miniseries, I'm sharing five boundaries to establish this school year around availability, respect, workload, consequences, and grading. The goal? To empower students to become more independent, hold the line in your classroom, and still have a life outside of teaching.➡️ Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode253Resources:Download your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge.Take the Free Labs When Limited virtual PD courseSend me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.scienceSend me an email: [email protected]  Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow, rate, and comment on Spotify.Related Episodes:Episode 123: What to Do When You Care More Than Your Students DoEpisode 155: How to Create Active and Accountable Learners in Your Secondary Science ClassroomEpisode 202: What to Do When Your Students Fail the Test Episode 223: What to Do When Students Simply Won’t Do Their Work

A new school year calls for new boundaries, and it’s high time we stopped letting email rule our lives. Teaching is your job, not your whole identity, and nobody should expect you to be available 24/7! In this episode, I’m kicking off a 3-week mini-series on boundaries by tackling one of the biggest struggles for teachers: constant digital access. I get personal about my own journey with becoming unavailable, why these boundaries matter, and how they can help us teach others to become independent problem-solvers. I’ll also address the biggest pushback I get and share five practical tips for holding the line and responding to email strategically instead of reactively.➡️ Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode252Resources:Inbox When Ready (Chrome Extension)Download your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge.Take the Free Labs When Limited virtual PD courseSend me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.scienceSend me an email: [email protected]  Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow, rate, and comment on Spotify.Related Episodes:Episode 70: “It Isn’t an Attack on You: Dealing with Difficult Parents with Guest Zach MatsonEpisode 195: A Simple and Effective Process for Parent Communication with Guest Mandy FarrarEpisode 199: How to Not Take Work Home (In Your Head, or in Reality) This School YearEpisode 207: Dealing With Combative Parents - 6 Tips and 2 Warnings

Teaching science is about more than getting through the standards! In this episode, I’m sharing five critical life skills I want you to intentionally teach this school year. I’ll share practical ways to build these skills into what you’re already doing while helping students become more capable, confident, and resilient humans...not just successful science students!➡️ Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode251Resources Mentioned:Life Skills PDF (FREE!)RADAR Signs (FREE!)Download your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge.Take the Free Labs When Limited virtual PD courseSend me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.scienceSend me an email: [email protected]  Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow, rate, and comment on Spotify.Related Episodes:Episode 47. 2 Ways That Learning Happens and How to Create a Classroom Culture That Fosters ItEpisode 136. Building a Team Mindset Into Your Classroom CultureEpisode 145. How to Build Resilience in Students Post-PandemicEpisode 147. Content Coverage - How to Get Through All of the StandardsEpisode 155. How to Create Active and Accountable Learners in Your Secondary Science ClassroomEpisode 175. How and WHY I Teach Students to Take NotesEpisode 219. Study Guides for High School Science ClassesEpisode 244. Sanity-Saving Systems, Self Checks, and Starting a TA Program With Katie DupuieEpisode 246. Grouping and Engaging Students with Popsicle Sticks